According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the government of Pakistan is set topass legislation that would place the Pakistan Army at the helm of theChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The bill will be reportedly passedin December 2020 and will revert control of Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt andRoad Initiative from a civilian body to the military.
The CPEC Authority Bill 2020 was passed earlier this month despite strongopposition from notable lawmakers of the country. Chairman of theParliamentary Committee, Junaid Akbar, has reportedly suggested that thenew bill will be presented before the parliament for a final vote in thesecond week of December 2020.——————————
The proposed law seeks to reinstate the CPEC Authority, which has beendefunct since the expiry of a presidential order in May.
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If passed, the legislation will give the Armed Forces the autonomy tooversee the CPEC projects. The Planning and Development Ministry willreportedly transfer the control to a CPEC Authority headed by Asim SaleemBajwa. The retired general will report directly to Prime Minister ImranKhan. Moreover, Bajwa will replace Asad Umar as the co-chair of the newPak-China Joint Committee.
